I noticed it takes about 6-7 starter clicks before it goes! Warm, cold, just driven, doesn't matter. I know this isn't right as my other Yotas always started on 1 click with twice as many miles and even after sitting undriven for a week. After the 4Runner is up and running, no complaints, it purrs.

What things should I look at? It's at 79K and always followed Toyota's recommended maintenance schedule.

 

How old is the battery? I'd check the battery, the ground connections, the alternator to battery connection, and the alternator in general for a loose connection.

 

what year? what engine? etc.. more info needed here.

if it's older maybe the cold start injector?

 

I should get a sig

It's '99 V6 auto. It cranks very very strong, if I were to bet the battery is pretty new. Given this fact should I still go over all the connections? (if yah will I lose anything when disconnecting battery? Radio codes and such?)

 

yes. and the alarm will go bat-schidt when you hook it back up so have your key in your hand to hit the disarm button like you have epilepsy. your contacts in the starter may need replacin'. check here for info:
http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/4x4.../Starter.shtml

 

What do you mean by "click"?

 

Replaced your spark plugs recently?

 

AgRunner06, well you know those clicks a starter makes About 4 per second is my best guess.

denverbikeguy, honestly I have no idea since I just got it, but from what I understood the previous owner took it to the dealer religiously for recommended maintenance. I'd imagine whatever the last recommended spark change was, if I'm at 79k now, then that's how old the sparks would be. I was going to take out a few and look at them but upon opening the hood found it's a major pain to go through removal just to look at them.

I noticed that if I put the key into ON, so all accessories come up, leave it there for few seconds and then crank, then it starts quicker but still not smooth enough as I'd like. Does the fuel pump pressurize the line with ignition in ON before engine starts?

 

If you are hearing an audible "click" then you need to replace your battery or starter contacts...

 

good question, i always do this on my new engine ever since my old engine mysteriously detonated on start up. (hence the new engine).

so am i doing any good giving it a few seconds whith the ignition in the on position before turning it to start? anyone else do this?

 

I do the wait thing... I used to be able to hear the fuel pump in my volvo very well, and I would always wait til that started and stopped, then would light it up. Now I just wait a couple secs since I can't really hear the fuel pump in the Runner.

 

Listen to the MP3 of the engine cranking. Does it sound normal? (It’s inside a closed garage so sounds exaggerated due to reverberation)

 

that's how mine sounds. it turns over a couple of times before it cranks up but sometimes I jump the gun and let go of the key to early (pull to early, hehe) and have to turn the key again to start the thing.